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The Mitsubishi Astron 2 engine is a inline 4 cylinder, 2.6 L engine produced by Mitsubishi for use in many cars all over the world between 1982 and 1996.Model names variated depending on applications, but the engine remained basically identical through the world accept the addition of 'jet valves' in the U.S.A.

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Unique Attributes

The mitsubishi Astron engines were the first production engine to adopt duel balance shafts in an attempt to iron out vibrations caused by bigger 4 cylinder engines. At the time of production, the 'silent shaft' system was a great hit and subsequently saw many car manufactures of the time opt to use the Mitsubishi engine rather than produce their own. A classic example of this is Chrysler 'K-cars'.
Another thing that set the Astron family of engines ahead from conventional inline 4 engines of the time was its large size. The 2.6 engine, at the time was the biggest mass produced engine in passenger car history and found its place in many large cars such as the Australian Mitsubishi Magna.

Criticisms

The Astron 2 engine is known for oil leaks and chain rattles. The early engines were worse than later adaptations, because the chain that drives the counterbalance shafts and oil pump was fitted with a manual adjusting chain tensioner, which many mechanics failed to tension properly resulting in slackness and chewed sprockets. Later models used a semi automatic system then a fully automatic system that tensioned the chain using a small hydraulic ram, pressurized by oil pressure. this system was still problematic, especially just after start up. The model used in the Australian Mitsubishi Manga were relatively underpowered considering the weight and size of the car, but proved fairly reliable over the long haul if maintained correctly.

Other problems include oil stem seals, which perish after long hours and let oil run into the cylinder and cause small amounts of blue smoke at start up and after extended periods of idle, such as at traffic lights. The heads used on the Astron 2 are prone to cracking, especially on the Australian Mitsubishi Magna due to the radiator being slightly lower than the head, causing air bubbles to form and the head boiling dry.

Applications

Mitsubishi Magna - 1885 to approximatively 1996
Chrysler 'k-cars'
Hyundai passenger cars
To name a few